cartilage piercing pain

ive had my cartilage pierced for about 2 years or more now, but it's starting to hurt really bad. i had a ring on it and it got tugged on (yesterday). i just changed it to a stud because it was starting to hurt really and its throbbing. you can definitely see the redness and feel heat around it. ive had this happen before with this same piercing. any tips?